April 3, 2012
Box Score | Norwood & Kemp Video
Nashville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt scored eight runs in the first inning Tuesday night en route to a 16-2 win over UT-Martin at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores (12-17) sent 12 men to the plate in the first inning, scoring a season-high eight runs on seven hits. Tony Kemp led off the inning with a hit by pitch and moved to third base on Anthony Gomez’s double. Mike Yastrzemski’s double scored Kemp and Gomez for a two-run lead. A third straight double, this one from Conrad Gregor, made it 3-0 VU before Spencer Navin’s single scored Gregor for a four-run lead. With two outs in the inning the Dores strung together three more runs. Jack Lupo knocked in a run with a single and Kemp capped the rally in a big way with his first career home run into the right field bleachers, a two-run shot that made it 8-0 after one inning. The Commodores cruised from there tacking on a single run in the third, three more in the fourth and four more in the eighth. Freshman John Norwood’s three-run homer over the left field scoreboard highlighted the Dores’ four-run eighth.
Vanderbilt starter Sam Selman (2-3) did not need much help Tuesday night turning in five no-hit innings for his second straight win. The lefty retired the first nine batters he faced and allowed only two walks while striking out seven to match a career-best. Four relievers worked one inning each to finish off the win with left-handers Nevin Wilson and Jared Miller each tossing a scoreless frame. UT-Martin (8-20) starter Brendan Lozupone (0-3) took the loss, recording two outs and allowing six runs on five hits.
Lupo helped the way for Vandy with two hits and a career-high three RBI. Navin, Gregor and Gomez all had two hits while Kemp added three RBI. Sonny Mastromatteo scored both runs for the Skyhawks and had one of the team’s two hits.
Vanderbilt’s 16 runs scored are the most in a game this season while the team’s eight-run first also set a season-high for runs in an inning. With Kemp and Norwood each hitting home runs in the win it marked just the second time this season the Dores have hit two homers in a game and the first since Connor Harrell hit two home runs at Stanford February 18.
The Commodores hit the road this weekend to visit Mississippi State. The Dores and Bulldogs play Friday night at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
